Washington Subcontractor Agreement Template | Statutory Compliant
Generate a construction subcontract tailored to Washington law — with statutory prompt payment deadlines, retainage caps, lien waiver rules, and anti-indemnification protections built in.
Contract Parties
Subcontractor
Project & Schedule
Payment Terms
Total subcontract price for your scope of work.
Washington rules: Washington does not cap retainage by statute on private construction; retainage is negotiable.
Days after GC receives owner payment.
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Download a clean, print-ready PDF with all Washington statutory clauses included — prompt payment, retainage, lien waiver, and indemnification.
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Subcontractor Agreement
Construction Subcontract — State of Washington
This Subcontractor Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of October 5, 2026 by and between [General Contractor Name] (“General Contractor”) and [Subcontractor Name] (“Subcontractor”), governed by Washington Revised Code Chapter 60.04 and the laws of the State of Washington.
General Contractor
[General Contractor Name]
Subcontractor
[Subcontractor Name]
Project Owner
—
Project Address
—
Contract Price
[Contract Price]
License #
—
1. Scope of Work
Subcontractor shall furnish all labor, tools, equipment, and materials necessary to complete the agreed scope of work in a good and workmanlike manner, in compliance with all applicable building codes.
2. Payment
GC shall pay Subcontractor within 10 days after receiving payment from the Project Owner. Under RCW 39.04.250 (public), the general contractor must pay subcontractors within 14 days after receiving payment from the owner. On private jobs, RCW 60.04.221 creates lien rights, and payment terms are contract-driven, though pay-if-paid clauses are void under RCW 19.290.110 (2019 law voiding pay-if-paid in construction contracts).
3. Retainage
GC may withhold 10% retainage from each progress payment. Washington does not cap retainage by statute on private construction; retainage is negotiable. On public works under RCW 60.28.015, retainage is held in a joint controlled account and released at completion and acceptance.
4. Lien Waivers
Washington does not require statutory lien waiver forms; waivers are enforceable if they clearly identify the project, amount, and date. Under RCW 60.04.221, a waiver of lien rights is effective only to the extent of payment actually received.
5. Mechanics Lien Rights Preserved
Washington requires recording a lien within 90 days after the last work or materials were furnished, followed by foreclosure within 8 months of recording. Washington does not require a statutory preliminary notice for private projects; best practice is a voluntary Notice of Intent to lien.
6. Indemnification
Washington under RCW 4.24.115 voids provisions in construction contracts requiring a subcontractor to indemnify another party for that party’s sole negligence or willful misconduct.
7. Governing Law
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Washington, including Washington Revised Code Chapter 60.04 (Washington Lien Law) and Prompt Pay at RCW 39.04.250 (public) and RCW 60.04 (private, implied).
[General Contractor Name] — General Contractor
Print Name / Title
[Subcontractor Name] — Subcontractor
Print Name / Title
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Washington Payment & Retainage Rules
Under RCW 39.04.250 (public), the general contractor must pay subcontractors within 14 days after receiving payment from the owner. On private jobs, RCW 60.04.221 creates lien rights, and payment terms are contract-driven, though pay-if-paid clauses are void under RCW 19.290.110 (2019 law voiding pay-if-paid in construction contracts).
Retainage Cap
Washington does not cap retainage by statute on private construction; retainage is negotiable. On public works under RCW 60.28.015, retainage is held in a joint controlled account and released at completion and acceptance.
Pay-When-Paid
Your agreement states that owner payment is a timing mechanism, not an absolute condition precedent — preserving your right to payment and statutory remedies under Washington Revised Code Chapter 60.04.
Lien Waivers
Washington does not require statutory lien waiver forms; waivers are enforceable if they clearly identify the project, amount, and date. Under RCW 60.04.221, a waiver of lien rights is effective only to the extent of payment actually received.
Your Mechanics Lien Rights in Washington
This agreement expressly preserves your right to record a mechanics lien and serve statutory preliminary notices — no pay-if-paid, pay-when-paid, or lien waiver clause in the document can waive your lien rights beyond payment actually received.
Washington requires recording a lien within 90 days after the last work or materials were furnished, followed by foreclosure within 8 months of recording.
Washington does not require a statutory preliminary notice for private projects; best practice is a voluntary Notice of Intent to lien.
Deadlines matter: missing a Washington lien or notice deadline can permanently waive your security interest in the project. Calendar both dates the day you mobilize on site.
Indemnification Limits Under Washington Law
Washington under RCW 4.24.115 voids provisions in construction contracts requiring a subcontractor to indemnify another party for that party’s sole negligence or willful misconduct.
Washington Subcontractor Agreement FAQs
When must a general contractor pay me under Washington prompt payment law?
Under RCW 39.04.250 (public), the general contractor must pay subcontractors within 14 days after receiving payment from the owner. On private jobs, RCW 60.04.221 creates lien rights, and payment terms are contract-driven, though pay-if-paid clauses are void under RCW 19.290.110 (2019 law voiding pay-if-paid in construction contracts). Your subcontract should mirror these statutory deadlines so that late payments automatically trigger the statutory interest and remedies without negotiation.
How much retainage can a GC legally withhold in Washington?
Washington does not cap retainage by statute on private construction; retainage is negotiable. On public works under RCW 60.28.015, retainage is held in a joint controlled account and released at completion and acceptance. Your agreement should specify the exact retainage percentage, the release schedule (typically at substantial completion and final completion), and payment of statutory interest on withheld retainage.
Are pay-if-paid clauses enforceable in Washington subcontracts?
Your state restricts pay-if-paid clauses as described above.
What lien waiver rules apply in Washington?
Washington does not require statutory lien waiver forms; waivers are enforceable if they clearly identify the project, amount, and date. Under RCW 60.04.221, a waiver of lien rights is effective only to the extent of payment actually received. Never sign an unconditional waiver until payment has actually cleared your bank account, and make sure your waiver identifies the specific billing period and amounts to avoid losing lien rights on future work.
Can a Washington subcontract require me to indemnify the GC for the GC’s own negligence?
Washington under RCW 4.24.115 voids provisions in construction contracts requiring a subcontractor to indemnify another party for that party’s sole negligence or willful misconduct. Always read the indemnification clause carefully — even in states with anti-indemnity statutes, "broad form" indemnity for joint negligence is typically still enforceable.
How do I preserve my mechanics lien rights in Washington?
Washington requires recording a lien within 90 days after the last work or materials were furnished, followed by foreclosure within 8 months of recording. Washington does not require a statutory preliminary notice for private projects; best practice is a voluntary Notice of Intent to lien. Send statutory notices by certified mail or another trackable method, keep copies of everything, and calendar the deadlines immediately upon each project’s completion.